Assistant Professor of Practice - Materials and Optics

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice (Materials and Optics) in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. This is a 9-month, full-time, non-tenure track, career-oriented position with an initial appointment up to three years and potential for renewal.

The role emphasizes teaching excellence and program development across materials and optics.

Qualifications

• PhD by the start date in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• Experience in teaching materials and optics related courses or topics.

Responsibilities

• Establish a strong scholarly teaching program in materials and optics.
• Teach undergraduate courses and contribute to graduate teaching as needed.
• Contribute to curriculum innovation and program growth in the ECE department.

Skills

Teaching experience

Undergraduate teaching

Course development

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Job description

Working Title

Assistant Professor of Practice - Materials and Optics

Department

Electrical & Computer Engineering-1063

Description Of Work

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering ( ECE ) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln ( UNL ), a land grant, Big Ten, and R1 institution, invites applications for a Professor of Practice faculty position at the assistant professor rank. ECE fosters a collegial, collaborative culture, supporting broad interdisciplinary research with other units across our campus. We invite applicants who can establish a strong scholarly teaching program in materials and optics. The position begins Fall 2027.

Position Description

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering invites exceptional candidates with teaching expertise in materials, optics, electromagnetics, and photonics. This is a 9-month, full-time, non-tenure track, career-oriented position with the initial appointment for a term of up to three years, with the opportunity for future multi-year renewals.

Department Overview

Across its two campuses, City Campus in Lincoln and Scott Campus in Omaha, the ECE department boasts over 30 faculty members, more than 500 undergraduate students, and nearly 100 graduate students. Faculty are engaged in a wide range of research areas, including embedded systems, microelectronics and integrated circuits, etchable and flexible electronics, computer vision, AI/ML, cybersecurity, robotics, wireless communication and networks, image/signal processing, nanotechnology, bioinformatics and biomedical engineering, power and energy systems, and electromagnetics and optics. ECE has been an educational leader within the COE and in the state of Nebraska, with two ABET accredited undergraduate degree programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering, four graduate degree programs, as well as two interdisciplinary graduate degree programs. ECE is also a contributor to the $25 million Heartland Robotics Cluster.

College Growth

The ECE department plays a key role in advancing COE’s ambitious research goals, supported by cutting-edge facilities, including a $75M research building and a $115M engineering education building opened in 2024. COE is dedicated to delivering a world-class engineering education, including its unique Complete Engineer® Program. Additionally, UNL COE was one of the first three institutions in the nation to receive the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program Silver Award. We are seeking an innovative leader with a vision for growth and a strong commitment to advancing research, education, and engagement in the ECE department.

About UNL , Lincoln, And Omaha

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is Nebraska’s land-grant research university, is a member of the Big Ten, and ranks among Doctoral Universities with the Highest Research Activity [Carnegie CIHE ]. As the state’s flagship institution, UNL plays a key role in the research and innovation landscape within the region and leverages the department’s co-location in Lincoln and Omaha. The city of Omaha, the largest metropolitan area in Nebraska, is a rising tech hub in the Midwest. Lincoln, the state capital, is also part of a growing high-tech region known as the ‘Midwest Silicon Prairie’. Taking advantage of both communities, UNL offers a vibrant, welcoming, family-friendly community with a strong economy, excellent public-school systems, a modest cost of living, and a high quality of life. Learn more about life in Lincoln and Omaha at placetobelnk.com, aboutlincoln.unl.edu, and visitomaha.com.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field by the start date of the appointment.
• At least five years of prior teaching experience.
• A demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching and previous effective teaching experience in courses related to materials and optics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the development and offering of innovative undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to curriculum innovation and program development in our undergraduate materials and optics program and the Nano-engineering Research Core Facility ( NERCF ).
• Advising and undergraduate research mentoring experience.